Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Exploring Krakow, Poland


On a bike adventure through Europe we had the pleasure of riding into Krakow. Upon arriving we immediately fell in love with the city. After checking into our hotel we had dinner in the main square, and as the sun went down we watched bats soar out from their hiding places to feed for the night. Once the sun set, the city lit up and became incredibly lively and vibrant. Needless to say, the kids didn’t come home until the sun rose again the next morning.


If you’re visiting Krakow, there are two important sites that are not to be missed. First on our list is the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This fascinating site takes you along underground routes through saline chambers of the old salt mine. Over the years, generations of miners have sculpted magnificent statues and breathtaking caverns underground. Experiencing this unique site is definitely worth the price of admission!

The second major site on our list is Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Auschwitz, a concentration camp during WWII, became the largest site for the murder of Jews under the Nazi plan for their extermination. Over one million men, women and children lost their lives at the concentration camp. Our day at Auschwitz was very sobering as we attempted to understand the site and imagine the conditions of the camp during WWII.

Overall, our time in Krakow was quite short. However, it is a fascinating city and the time we spent there will remain with us for the rest of our days.

-Wendy

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Europe Bike Trip Part 6: Venice


A quick word of advice to anyone thinking about taking bikes into Venice: don’t.


After exploring Croatia by bike we rode into Venice, Italy. Dealing with our bikes was, to say the least, not a fun experience. If you’re biking through Italy and planning to stop in Venice the most affordable option is to find somewhere to store your bikes outside of the city. Then, take the train into Venice and pick them up when you leave. Bikes are not actually allowed in the central town itself, so if you take bikes into Venice you will have to find a parking garage before getting on a water taxi. Parking for bikes is not cheap. We figured this out the hard way, but once we parked our bikes we were able to kick up our feet and relax in the sinking city of Venice.

Once we were settled into the city, Venice provided the perfect destination to end our journey. The gorgeous city served as a reward for all the kilometers we had traveled by bike. We visited all of the major points of interest including Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. However, we had the best time sitting near the water with a beer in hand, watching the massive yachts sailing into port and imagining the kinds of people who own these behemoths.

We all flew home in great shape after a few days, despite all the pasta and wine that was consumed in Venice! Overall, biking through Europe was a challenging and rewarding experience. I would recommend to anyone seeking a fascinating and active adventure!

-Wendy